Egypt condemns militant attack on Tunisian town

Egypt has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted army and police posts in the Tunisian town of Ben Guerden near the Libyan border on Monday, killing at least 50 people.

Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid extended Egypt’s deepest condolences to the Tunisian government and people.

Abu Zeid affirmed Egypt’s solidarity with Tunisia in fighting terrorism, reiterating its call for all countries to work on concerted international efforts to defeat it.

Dozens of Islamist fighters stormed the Tunisian town near the Libyan border on Monday, attacking army and police posts in a raid that also included the killing of civilians, according to the Tunisian government.

Reuters reported earlier on Monday that Tunisian soldiers killed 33 militants and arrested six, the interior ministry said.

Hospital and security sources said at least seven civilians were killed along with ten soldiers.

Since its revolt that ousted ruler Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, Tunisia has struggled with Islamist militancy at home and over the border.

Militants trained in Libyan camps carried out two major attacks last year in Tunisia.

source: Ahram Online